Category Manager, Strategic Sourcing - Juices and Agricultural Ingredients

Make a Difference in YOUR Career!

Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.

We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.

Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game. We are solutions-based. We are innovative. We seek out new challenges and conquer them. This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too: Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.

Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table?

Summary:

The Category Manager for Juices will strategically source, purchase and manage the supply of raw materials through a carefully evaluated, competent supply base, ensuring that quality, service, cost, terms and conditions are optimized to provide Refresco with a commercial advantage. This role will coordinate the activities required to meet the company quality standards and focus on continuous improvement while contributing to the company’s strategy and demonstrating the company values and behaviors.

Essential Functions

• Identify and select strategic suppliers to procure juice concentrates from while maintaining strong relationships with key global suppliers.

• Continuous monitoring of fruit and vegetable markets and crop seasonality to react quickly and appropriately when faced with unexpected market conditions.

• Drive value through innovation and collaboration with strategic suppliers and internal customers (Sales, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain and Procurement Finance)

• Provide regular commodity updates for the sales team.

• Develop sourcing plans for assigned juice sub-categories to reduce total costs, optimize value from suppliers and meet internal customer requirements.

• Review, negotiate, and execute the implementation of contractual arrangements per Refresco policy and business objectives.

• Manage new project launches and source new juice concentrates as required.

• Track and monitor consumption & demand to ensure adequate volumes are contracted to meet production demands.

• Prepare annual budget for appropriate commodities.

• Generate cost savings opportunities throughout the raw material supply chain.

• This position will report to the Director, Procurement – North America

Requirements

Education & Preferred Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Operations or related field required.

• Five (5) years of procurement experience preferably in food/beverage manufacturing.

• Juice, fruit, ingredients, agricultural commodity, or food ingredient procurement.

• Commodity market analysis and forecasting.

• Supplier negotiations in international markets.

• Experience managing commodity risk and long-term supply agreements.

• Food, beverage, ingredients, agricultural processing, or consumer packaged goods industries.

Position-specific skills:

• Creative Thinking: able to think creatively, generating new ideas and approaches to situations.

• Strategic Thinking: able to grasp the big picture and think long-term.

• Attention to Detail: highly attentive to details, change and what factors influence change.

• Assertiveness: able to defend a point of view and to confront others appropriately when necessary;

• Self-Motivation/Time Management: able to determine and prioritize tasks with minimal direction.

• Negotiation Skill: skilled in negotiating, effective in utilizing analysis and creative solutions to extract the greatest value for the company.

• Software Skill: Microsoft Excel proficiency is mandatory, as well as adeptness in PowerPoint and Word. SAP knowledge a plus.

• Written Communication: a good writer; expresses ideas and positions clearly. Ability to compose concise, simplified written descriptions of complex issues, supported by detailed analysis.

• Cross Cultural: Able to interact effectively with people of different cultures and backgrounds.

This role offers direct exposure to global agricultural commodity markets and provides an opportunity to influence sourcing strategies across one of North America's largest beverage manufacturing networks.

A Career with Refresco

Refresco is passionate about empowering leaders who reflect our core values and live by our leadership behaviors. These behaviors encourage effective leadership within the business, and focus on leading courageously, empowering individuals, and driving company growth as one team. Joining our team as a people manager means you’ll be encouraged to evolve as a leader who prioritizes the success of both you and your team, to deliver results, whilst bringing your authentic self to work.

Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers the following competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance

• Short-term disability and long-term disability

• Pet Insurance

• Legal Benefits

• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match

• 12 Paid Holidays

• Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time Off Days

• Well-being Benefit

• Discount and Total Reward Programs

Join Refresco TODAY and enjoy a rewarding CAREER!

Any employment agency, person, or entity that submits a résumé to this career site or a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Refresco Beverages US, Inc. Refresco Beverages, US Inc., will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person, or entity.

Employment agencies that have agreements with Refresco Beverages US, Inc., and have been engaged in a search shall submit a résumé to the designated Refresco recruiter or, upon authorization, submit a résumé to this career site to be eligible for placement fees.

As part of our commitment to efficiency and fairness in the hiring process, we utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to assist in evaluating applications. AI may be used to analyze qualifications, match skills with job requirements, and support decision-making. However, all hiring decisions involve human oversight to ensure a fair and comprehensive assessment of candidates.

Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.